Commemorating War Heroes

A simple state ceremony to commemorate the War Heroes was held today under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the War Heroes Memorial at Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

Pettah Vesak pandol back for public view...

After the crashing of the Vesal Pandol at Pettah, assembled in front of the Gunasinghepura Bus Stand every year, it was re-assembled and ready for public view. Earlier the Vesak Pandol crashed before the Vesak poyaday due to strong winds. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Arrest attackers of GotaGoGama

The Trade Union Coordinating Centre (TUCC) today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railways station demanding the authorities to arrest the people who were involved in the attack on the GotaGoGama peaceful protestors. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Long lines for gas...

Due to the severe fuel shortage in the country, many lanes in Colombo and suburbs were closed for traffic as people queued up for fuel. A traffic jam was created by this afternoon. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Nisal Baduge

Novice Buddhist monks ordained

An ordination ceremony held at the Sri Dharmaloka Temple in Bandaragama today, where three young boys were ordained as monks. The ceremony was organised by Ven. Dr. Thalgampala Paduma Thera with the patronage of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Maha Sanga Sabha Anunayake, Ven. Prof. Kotapitiye Rahula Thera. Pix by Samantha Perera

Remembering ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen

A protest was held to remember former rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, who was murdered a decade ago, culminates at ’GotaGoHome’ village. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Arrest GotaGoHome attackers...

Another protest was held this evening at the ’GotaGoHome’ [village] demanding the arrest of those who instigated the violent attack on the peaceful and unarmed protesters on May 9. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Arrest all who attacked peaceful protesters

Lawyers from the Bar Association of SriLanka (BASL) today engaged in a protest demanding the arrest of those instigated the violent attack on the peaceful and unarmed protesters on May 9. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Security tightened around Parliament

Security has been tightened around Parliament this morning as the Parliament was convened today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha

Manioc Dansala....

A manioc (tapioka) dansala was held at the Dam Street Police Station yesterday under the patronage of OIC C.I. Peruruarachchi. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Unending queues for fuel...

Lengthening queues are seen in front of petrol sheds today. Although fuel supply was streamlined, some sheds still run out of stocks. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana and Nisal Baduge

Reading at GotaGoGama library

People at the GotaGoGama are seen reading books inside the library after it was renovated. The library was destroyed after it came under attack by goons at the protest site at GotaGoGama. The library is blessed with thousands of books. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Tense situation near Police HQ

A tense situation arose near the Police Head Quarters (HQ) yesterday with the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) demanding response for not taking the attackers into custody who were involved in the recent GotGoGama attack. The union members held a protest march from the Fort Railway Station to the Police Head Quarters, Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Super blood moon dazzles stargazers worldwide

A spectacular ’Super Blood Moon’ lit up the sky on Sunday night and early Monday morning – as two rare lunar events took place at the same time.

Sangika alms giving at GotaGoGama

A ’Sangika Dana’, a special alms giving was offered at GotaGoGama in the Galle Face Green to mark the Vesak Poya Day. Around 100 monks were honoured at this alms giving. A Catholic priest is seen serving food to a Buddhist monk. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Revival of Kuragala

This year’s National ‘Vesak’ Commemoration Ceremony - 2022 was held at the Kuragala Rajamaha Viharaya, which has a proud history of over 2300 years, after it turned a new lease of life on Vesak Poya Day with the participation of Ven Waturakumbure Dhammaratana Thera and General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army. The ‘Revival of Kuragala’ program was completed in 13 months.

Sharing meals on Vesak

Several Dansals were organized for Vesak Poya Day amid the country’s economic crisis. People are seen organizing and participating at Dansals in the Colombo City. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak at Korean Embassy

The Korean Embassy, together with the Korean nationals in Sri Lanka, hosted a Korean food sharing event yesterday in view of the Vesak festival. The event held as part of the Korea Week 2022, which is currently taking place at the Colombo City Centre. The Korean Embassy and the Korean Community prepared Korean traditional meal boxes, spearheaded by Korean Ambassador, Santhush Woonjin JEONG.

Vesak Pandols to light up Colombo

Streets in Colombo were decorated with pandols to welcome Vesak day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Distributing dry rations

The Buddhist Brotherhood of Royal College yesterday distributed dry rations to the needy People in the event of Vesak Full Moon Poya Day. Around 500 packs of dry rations were distributed. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Presidential pardon for prisoners on Vesak Day

Several prisoners were released from the Welikada Prison on a presidential pardon given due to Vesak Poya Day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Vesak Poya

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observance at the Kelaniya Temple to mark the Vesak Poya Day, today. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel and Pradeep Pathirana

Needy families get dry rations

Around 2,000 packs of dry rations were distributed to the needy families at Uruwal Peruwa in Mahara by businessman Hasith Gunasekara. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisingha

US Ambassador meets AKD

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung met JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today.

Preparing for Vesak

Vesak lanterns seen selling at a temporarily built hut in Colombo. Vendors have put up lanterns, Buddhist flags and other decorations at display at their shops. Pix by Nisal Baduge, Kushan Pathiraja and Pradeep Pathirana

Ranil assumes duties...

Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assumed duties at the Prime Minister’s Office this morning.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Appears before HRCSL...

Western Province DIG Deshabandu Tennekoon arrived at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) this morning for an inquiry over a complaint lodged on the attack on protesters at ’GotaGoGama’ and ’MainaGoGama’ recently. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana

Vesak Pandol at Dematagoda coming up...

Pictures show enthusiasts are engaged in giving final touches to Dematagoda Vesak Pandol (Thorana) to celebrate the Vesak celebration. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Stitching Buddhist flags...

The picture shows employees of a self-owned business in Demetagoda stitching Buddhist flags to be sold to the public in light of the Vesak festival. Pix by Nisal Baduge

New PM at Gangarama Temple

Newly appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in religious observances at the Gangarama Temple, Hunupitiya after the swearing in yesterday. UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara and UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardene were also present at the occasion. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana